> is asteroid/comet impact a risk worth taking seriously?
I believe that it is certainly worth taking seriously. We know that the
hazard exists and we know that the consequences would be devastating, should
such a disaster occur. History--well, actually palaeontology--has
illustrated the results of such a catastrophe many times and we know that it
will happen again. We thus should be investigating further and discussing
possible solutions.
The main question for me manifests in the timeframe for "investigating
further and discussing possible solutions" and in deciding what to do and
when to do it. With limited resources, how much effort do we give to this
serious issue? Should we be focussing on these low-probability,
high-magnitude threats or on more common threats such as river flooding in
the U.K. or hurricanes in the Caribbean? Would it be possible to strike an
appropriate balance across all probabilities and magnitudes of hazards?
Should this approach be our goal? Would far too much effort need to be
expended just to get the required international cooperation to properly
monitor and counter threatening near-Earth objects--or is this an
opportunity to foster international cooperation, scientific and political,
in the natural hazard realm?
I do not have answers to offer for any of these questions and I have seen
(not read) several thousand pages written on this topic, but I certainly
support the current activities and dedication of resources to better define
the questions and to develop frameworks for seeking a resolution. Through
such support, the issues can be efficiently examined so that, if we do
determine that something should be done, we can move swiftly before it is
too late. And if we decide that nothing should be done, then at least it
will be a decision based on sound principles and knowledge rather than
inertia.
I would support Prof. Cope in providing this list with further information
on the Astronomy and Space Environment All-Party Group's activities, when it
is available.
Thank you for your time,
Ilan
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